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==Avatars of Ganesha==
The [[Linga Purana]] declares that Ganesha incarnates to destroy demons and to help the gods and pious people.<ref name="Grimes">{{cite book|last=Grimes|first=John A.|title=Gaṇapati: song of the self|publisher=[[SUNY Press]]|year=1995|page=105|isbn=978-0-7914-2439-1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aoqB4n95pSoC&pg=PT105}}</ref> The two [[Upapurana]]s&nbsp;– [[Ganesha Purana]] and [[Mudgala Purana]]&nbsp;– detail the avatars of Ganesha. Both these upapuranas are core scriptures of the [[Ganapatya]] sect&nbsp;– exclusively dedicated to Ganesha worship.

Four avatars of Ganesha are listed in the Ganesha Purana: Mohotkata, Mayūreśvara, Gajanana and Dhumraketu. Each avatar corresponds to a different yuga, has a different mount and different skin complexion, but all the avatars have a common purpose&nbsp;– to slay demons.<ref>Grimes, pp. 100–105.</ref>

The Mudgala Puranam describes eight avatars of Ganesha:<ref name=Granoff>Phyllis Granoff, "{{IAST|Gaṇeśa as Metaphor}}," in Robert L. Brown (ed.) Ganesh: Studies of an Asian God, pp. 94–5, note 2. {{ISBN|0-7914-0657-1}}</ref>
#Vakratunda ({{IAST|Vakratuṇḍa}}) ("twisting trunk"), his mount is a lion.
#Ekadanta ("single tusk"), his mount is a mouse.
#Mahodara ("big belly"), his mount is a mouse.
#Gajavaktra (or Gajānana) ("elephant face"), his mount is a mouse.
#Lambodara ("pendulous belly"), his mount is a mouse.
#Vikata ({{IAST|Vikaṭa}}) ("unusual form", "misshapen"), his mount is a peacock.
#Vighnaraja ({{IAST|Vighnarāja}}) ("king of obstacles"), his mount is the celestial serpent {{IAST|Śeṣa}}.
#Dhumravarna ({{IAST|Dhūmravarṇa}}) ("grey color") corresponds to Śiva, his mount is a horse.